Le Lézard
Classified in: Health
Subjects: CHI, LBR, CPG

Minister of Mean autism program 'enhancements' still leave parents adrift: OPSEU's Thomas


TORONTO, March 21, 2019 /CNW/ - OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas says Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Lisa MacLeod's attempts to undo the harm she is causing the families of children with autism is only delaying the inevitable.

Thomas called Thursday's so-called "enhancements" to the Ford government's autism program cuts an attempt to deflect the growing chorus of protests and outrage expressed by the families, said Thomas.

"If the Minister of Mean thinks she can buy parents' silence by extending public treatment programs by a mere six months, she will be in for a big surprise," said Thomas.

"These families are in a desperate situation, they're facing real financial hardship and are being pushed toward private treatment providers they can't afford. This is shameful and unacceptable."

Thomas says the government's half-hearted olive branch won't help families who are unable to foot the bill to pay for private treatment, in some cases the price tag is tens of thousands of dollars every year.

"The families aren't going to be fooled by empty Tory talking points," said Thomas. "They need the proven and reliable public autism programs and the dedicated frontline experts who make them work."

Thomas also says it speaks volumes that MacLeod ran out of her news conference, avoiding answering media questions that the families of children with autism desperately want answers to.

"Families are suffering and professionals are being laid off as a result of the Minister of Mean's cuts," said Thomas.  "But when the media calls her on it, her response is to storm away in a rage because she isn't capable of defending the indefensible."

"I guess you can't expect much from a government that believes that hardship creates resiliency, but Lisa 'Storm Cloud' is about as welcome as a rainy day to the families suffering because of her decisions.  She's unfit to serve in cabinet and should be immediately booted to the backbenches."

SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)


These press releases may also interest you

at 22:18
The report titled "Personalized Nutrition Market by Measurement Type (Active Measurement, Standard Measurement), Application (Indication-based, Standard Supplements), Distribution Channel, End-Use - Global Forecast 2024-2030" is now available on...

at 22:03
The report titled "Carbon Dioxide Incubator Market by Product (Air Jacketed CO2 Incubators, Direct Heat CO2 Incubators, Water Jacketed CO2 Incubators), Capacity (100-200 Litre, Above 200 Litre, Below 100 Litre), Application, End User - Global...

at 22:00
The "Global Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Laboratory Services Market: Strategy & Trends with Volume & Price Forecasts by Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Pathology, Covid-19, and Molecular Dx by Country. Updated with Impact of COVID-19"...

at 21:45
The "Molecular Diagnostics at the Point of Care. By Application, Technology, Place, Product and by Country. With Executive Guides and Customization 2023 - 2027 " report has been added to  ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Infectious disease Dx is...

at 21:30
The "Whole Genome and Exome Sequencing Markets by Application, Organism and Product with Executive and Consultant Guides. Includes Direct to Consumer Analysis. 2023 to 2027" report has been added to  ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Will all...

at 20:50
Pharma (1167.HK), a clinical-stage oncology company drugging the undruggable targets, today announced its 2023 annual results. The revenue was RMB63.5 million, the R&D investment was RMB372 million, the cash and cash equivalent at the end of 2023 was...



News published on and distributed by: